Cesc Fabregas has been backed to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea

Chelsea’s merrygo-round continues as the club look for a new coach following the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino last week.

The Argentinian, who viewed his tenure at Chelsea as a long-term career, was suddenly sacked despite leading the youngest club in the Premier League to the League Cup final and the FA Cup semi-final.

His departure marks the fourth management change under Todd Boehly’s ownership in just two years.

Among the possible candidates for the role, former Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has received a surprise endorsement from club fan favorite Eden Hazard.

Speaking to TalkSport, Hazard was asked about the suitability of Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi for the Chelsea job. Hazard replied, “Maybe,” before suggesting Fabregas as a contender, adding, “I have a friend in Como, he could be the first manager.”

Cesc Fabregas’ Training Journey

Fabregas joined Italian club Como in the summer of 2022 on a two-year contract as a player. After retiring on July 1, 2023, he switched to coaching, managing the Como U19 and B teams.

His coaching career changed dramatically in November 2023, when he was promoted to the position of interim coach of the Como first team after the dismissal of Moreno Longo.

Although Fabregas did not have a UEFA Pro coaching license at the time, he was granted a special exemption, allowing him to serve as head coach for one month.

Under his leadership, Como rose from 7th to 3rd place, setting the stage for the club’s eventual promotion to Serie A.

Fabregas continued as assistant coach after Osian Roberts was appointed interim manager until the end of the season.

Chelsea Management Options

While Fabregas’ name has entered the discussion, Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca is currently the favorite to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Other potential candidates include Thomas Frank, Xavi, Kieran McKenna, and Roberto De Zerbi.

The appointment of a new manager will be crucial for Chelsea as they aim to stabilize and build on the progress made under Pochettino.

The club’s young squad and recent cup run highlight the chances of success, making the choice of the next manager an important decision for the future of the Blues.